how to measure wall angles for molding
konopam
| Posted in Construction Techniques on
Hi one more question, what is the best way to measure an angle between walls so that you can cut it on the saw to get tight fits for crown molding? I have tried the method of coping but for some reason I just dont get it and cant understand how you can put up the first board without any cuts and then start putting additional pieces on after — Sorry for the stupid questions but I really like crown molding in a house
Replies
sorry for the bad news but coping is really the best way
corners in any house may measure square about 2 feet from the corner, but drywall taping and mud build up usually results in a wall that seems way out of square
coping is not really that difficult to learn, but dont try to develope the technique on an expensive crown moulding, try a fairly simple baseboard first, then maybe a more complicated chair rail maybe
there have been several posts and articles over the years on the subject of coping, maybe try the archives
honestly, once you develope the technique, you will find it easy
caulking is not a piece of trim
For a good book on this subject pick up Gary Katz's Finish Carpentry book.
You can cope stain grade crown--you really can. I am an idiot and I did it. You can too.
1. Cut the longest piece with butt ends.
2. Cut the coped piece on the miter saw like you would a miter (upside down)
3. Take a Sharpie or a soft lead pencil and color in the sawn area or outline the profile.
4. Get a rough cut and tight coping saw and at an extreme back cut (like 15 degrees or so) follow the cope. You may have to stop and start at various locations and not make a continuous cut.
5. Get a wood rasp and shave off the back side even more so the coped edge is as thin as a tissue paper.
6. Fit the coped edge against the butt edge using sand paper, a round rasp, a dremel tool (but carefull with the dremel!).
Try it on a couple pieces of scrap. It may take you 2-3 tries but once learned, it is great!
If you are chicken, then measure the whole angle, like 89.5 degrees. Bosch makes a digital protractor that is made to measure for this. Cut the angle in half and set your saw. Try a couple test pieces and use the Bosch to check it (it will be more accurate than your saw); adjust up or down as necessary. Once it is exactly half, try two test pieces in the corner. Ajust the whole angle in or out as necessary and repeat the steps.
The miter will open up this winter, though, as the wood shrinks.
Boris
"Sir, I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow" -- WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1934